OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — CHINA 69. TRIPTYCH NATIVITY #4

This standing Nativity plaque is carved in a triptych style (three panels that are hinged together). The wood is aromatic camphor wood that is unstained. The left panel shows the wise men and the right panel shows the shepherds. The center panel shows the Holy Family with a water buffalo (see above for symbolism of this animal). At the top of the center panel are written the Chinese characters for Love, Hope, and Faith. The item is 7.5 inches tall x 10.5 inches wide.

This item comes from the only Christian woodcarving workshop in China, located in China's Zhejiang province, an area famous for all types of wood carving.